Messenger In Macbeth

No Small Role In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, every character—from Lady Macbeth to the murderers and servants—are equally important in illustrating the story and conveying the underlying messages in the text. Messenger in the work Macbeth is an example of this as he is crucial to the plot of the story regardless of how often he speaks. The few lines spoken not only help readers realize that even the lowest of the low of Scotland are rebelling against Macbeth’s rule, but also the messenger delivers a message to Macbeth that makes him then realize that the witches’ prophecies are coming true. Initially, after reading the text, many may dismiss the lower characters as Macbeth primarily revolves around Macbeth and the other main characters,

Here he is warning Macduff’s family of the imminent danger, despite the treason he could be charged for by betraying the king. This is a very high offense for a messenger. Topol explains, “[Messengers] hand-carry secret and important documents…. Carrying an official case from which they may not be separated—it may even be chained to their wrist.” (1). Though Topol writes about a more modern job as a messenger, the basic ideals of a messenger have remained the same since the time Macbeth took place—the message/secrets of the king must only be known to him, the messenger, and the person it is intended for. Though Shakespeare doesn’t explicitly write it, we can infer that the messenger overhears this plot and goes off the warn the Macduff family, disregarding what he is sworn to do as a messenger. Before Macbeth’s reign, though, the messenger likely would not have gone behind the king’s back like he did in this instance because of the fair nature of Duncan (“Besides, this Duncan/Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/So clear in his great office, that his virtues/Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against/The deep damnation of his taking-off” (Macbeth 1.7.16-20) ). This also fits in with the ongoing theme in the play of betrayal of trust that is evident even from the very beginning of the play. This instance with the messenger is evidence that even the lowest people in the Scottish social

using memory tricks to improve memory to convey accurate messages (“It is in the nature of the mind to forget…[and] since time immemorial men have searched for various incantations, rituals, tricks, gimmicks, artifice, and methods to improve their memories” (Bower 1), keeping communications strictly top-secret, etc.). Since the messenger did not appear to oppose the king before Macbeth’s rule and no analysis of Macbeth has proven otherwise, it can be inferred that after Malcom was given the title of King of Scotland, the messenger resumed his orders with no betrayal